Cayetano versus Marcos social media battles emerged right after President Du30’s VP speech. He said that if one of them is his successor, then he can already resign. Nonetheless, DFA Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano is actually not in the position to compete with Bongbong Marcos when it comes to the Vice Presidency. According to the 1987 Constitution, the order of the line of succession is the Senate first. Then the Speaker of the House of Representatives is second. That is once Vice President Leni Robredo is impeached which is not the case at all. Only the Marcos-Robredo electoral protest holds much weight right now. So, the VP race is just between the two.

Presidential Admiration

The President openly admires the leadership style of the late President Ferdinand Marcos. He considers the Marcos clan as important political allies who are helping him in rebuilding the nation. He is counting on the younger Marcos to take over the Presidency at the soonest possible time which adheres to the Philippine constitution. This is if Bongbong Marcos is successful in his protest to assume the Vice Presidency come 2018.

No Cayetano in the VP Line-Up

In an impeachment rap for the Vice President, the Senate President takes over which is Senator Koko Pimentel. In case of his inability, the Speaker of the House is next in line which is Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez. He will act as Vice-President until the elected or the chosen one qualifies. If Bongbong Marcos wins in the electoral protest against Leni Robredo, he can immediately be installed in the VP post. Therefore, Pimentel or Alvarez’ take-over can be temporary. Although, it is not necessary for the time being since no case such case survived to remove Robredo.

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Speculations have No Legal Basis

The speculations that Cayetano as the president’s running mate aspires to replace Robredo has no legal basis. He is not in the line of VP succession. He seems happy as DFA Secretary. His previous debates with Marcos were for political survival. The yellow traces in him are normal. Considering that many Senators and Congressmen shifted to the president’s PDP Laban from the Liberal Party.

Marcos as VP in 2018 is Still on Track

Marcos reiterates that once the recount is already on schedule by the Supreme Court, it takes only 2 to 3 months to know if he has merits to the case. He is always for unity and to deal with misunderstandings among the supporters of the DFA Secretary is the last thing on his list. Loyalists must be prepared also to support the favored Du30-Marcos tandem by understanding the feelings of the followers of the rest of the unsuccessful 2016 Vice Presidentiables. That way, we can all stand united for nation-building.